Feminism Flashcards
First Wave Feminism
suffrage movement
right to vote for women in 1928
Second Wave Feminism
questioned roles society expected of women and men
argued women were oppressed by such expectations
Third Wave Feminism
claimed feminism was too focused on white middle class women
claimed feminism gave little expression to women of other cultures and their concerns
Fourth Wave Feminism
present day
looks at continued inequalities in pay, sexual harrassment, depiction of women in the media, online misogyny and abuse
What is sex?
biological differences between men and women
What is gender?
a social construct consisting of a set of social arrangements built around sex e.g. what we deem as ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’
What does radical feminism believe about sex?
transwomen cannot be accepted as women because of biological differences - altering genitalia or body shape cannot change this
Which feminists believe transwomen cannot be accepted as women due to biological differences?
Julie Bindel and Sheila Jeffreys
What is Sylvia Walby’s belief about the patriarchy?
identifies patriarchy’s pervasive and systematic nature
What does Sylvia Walby say is central to a feminist understanding of society?
the concept of patriarchy
Patriarchy and the State
- the denial of representation
- women are under represented in positions of women
Patriarchy and the Household
domesticity is destiny
What does Kate Millett say about Patriarchy and the Household?
“the family is patriarchy’s chief institution”
Patriarchy and Violence
women are more prone to being abused
two women killed every week by partners or former partner
Patriarchy and Paid Work
women tend to:
- have lower paid jobs
- be offered part time positions
- be assistants to men
Patriarchy and Sexuality
female sexuality seen as ‘unladylike’ / ‘slutty’
male sexuality able to be fully explored without as much judgement
What feminist text explores Patriarchy and Sexuality? What does it say?
‘The Female Eunuch’ Germaine Greer
- women’s sexual desires seen as unfeminine and unacceptable
- women should not be ashamed of their sexuality or embarrassed by their bodies
- women encouraged to participate in sex for two reasons (to procreate or satisfy men’s desires)
Patriarchy and Culture
ideal body image
What does Naomi Wolf say about women and body image?
fixation on women’s body image and weight is about control and obedience
What does Noami Wolf explore in ‘The beauty Myth’?
- the additional pressure on women to pursue the ideal body image
- capitalism keeping women buying things and chasing an unattainable goal
- a rise in eating disorders and cosmetic surgery
How does the beauty craze keep male dominance intact?
women led into thinking that unless they look and dress a particular way, they are ugly or unattractive for the MALE gaze
Who said “the personal is political”?
Carol Hanisch 1970
What does Carol Hanisch mean by “the personal is political”?
raising the awareness among women that oppression existed in their role in the family as well as the public sphere
Give examples of how the family keeps women and girls subjugated
- taught to be obedient whilst men to be dominant and self reliant
- socialised into accepting role of the housewife as the only and most fulfilled role
- expected to carry out free domestic work as well as paid work
- expected to cater to husband’s every need
- sacrifice career for housewife and motherhood
What do separatists believe?
that women and men should form two separate societies
What does Charlotte Bunch believe about feminism?
- political lesbianism
- heterosexuality is a political institution
- can only be challenged by women withdrawing from men and becoming lesbians
What does Sheila Jeffreys say in ‘Love your enemy’?
lesbianism is a political choice
When did intersectionality and identity politics begin to emerge and what did it represent?
late 80s/90s
third wave feminists seeking to redefine the women’s movement
criticised feminism for its focus on the oppressions faced only by white middle class women
Who coined the term ‘intersectionality’?
Kimberle Crenshaw
Intersectionality and Feminism
sought to take into the account experiences of:
- black women and women from ethnic minorities
- working class women
- disabled women
What did Bell Hooks say about women?
women were not a homogenous group and did not always share the same life experiences
What is the ‘original’ feminism?
Liberal Feminism
Who represents liberal feminism?
Mary Wollstonecraft
the Suffragettes
most second wave feminists
What is the main principle of liberal feminism?
takes the liberal values of individualism and foundational equality and applies them to women as well as men
How do liberal feminists believe feminist goals can be secured?
through a reform of society
democratic pressure and persuasion can help overcome gender imbalance
How do liberal feminists believe gender stereotyping can be broken down?
when women are accepted into traditional ‘mens occupations’ and girls will be encouraged by female role models
Mary Wollstonecraft on human nature
women are no more or no less rational than men and both should be treated equally as rational human beings
Wollstonecraft on equality
formal equality - women are entitled to the same civil liberties as men
equality of opportunity - women should be able to have a choice between taking a domestic role and seeking a career
Liberal Feminists on the state
- emphasises the states role in securing feminist goals
- advocates using the sate in positive ways to make lives of women better
- state plays a role on law reform e.g. on childcare/marital abuse/equal pay
- plays a role in legal and political equality and ensuring equality of opportunity